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In Touch No 318 – 9 March 2022

In Touch No 318 – 9 March 2022

John Lyons9 Mar 2022 - 08:30

Seconds Win the Shield Frustration at Berkswell Earlsdon this week - KO 3.00 VP Lunch and Club Dinner Dave Butler RIP

With Jim Robertson pulling the strings at fly-half, the Extras turned on the style in the first half of the Warwickshire Shield final at windy Harbury on Sunday. Our forwards went on to the attack from the start and overwhelmed the opposition with 4 tries in the first half hour - from Lewis Kelsey (2) Jim Robertson and Danny Ruyssevelt - 3 converted by Robertson. Shipston didn’t give up and they managed to turn things around and battered the Leamington line for the last 10 minutes of the half and were only stopped by some outstanding tackling. With the conditions in their favour, Shipston continued to dominate possession for most of the second half and eventually scored with 20 minutes to go, but there was to be no great comeback as we continued to defend strongly and only conceded again right at the end, to win by 26-10. Congratulations to Ross Waterhouse and Kevin Barkway for managing the side and to Danny Ruyssevelt and Ant Batchelor for leading it on the field and to all the players and subs who achieved our first knock-out success for 30 years [see Tom Chandler’s full report on the website]
Another frustrating day for the first XV on Saturday when we travelled to 4th place Berkswell & Balsall. We had the advantage of the wind and slope in the first half and despite having most of the play we were held to a try apiece at half time. Against the elements, we conceded a try at the start of the second half and then spent most of the rest of the game pressing in attack but unfortunately couldn’t get the score we needed and had to settle for a losing bonus point rather than the win we might have had [see John Warner’s report on the website]
This week we are playing Earlsdon, who have been having a terrible time and look certain to finish in the relegation slots, but fortunately for them there is unlikely to be any relegation this season so they will be reprieved. We have a good record against Earlsdon in recent seasons having won 8 times to 4 since they came down after a year in Midlands 1 in 2015, including knocking them out of the Warwickshire Shield in 2019 after they had won the trophy three times in a row. The Seconds are also playing Earlsdon over there.
Remember – kick off time is now 3.00 and the international games will be on the TVs
We were sad to hear of the death of Dave Butler last week, one of our leading players in the 1950s. Here is a tribute from his teammate Dick Ashely -
Yet another page in the History of Leamington RFC in the 1950’s has been turned with the loss of David Butler, who has died in Pembrokeshire at the age of 88. An old boy of Leamington College, he was a keen swimmer and had not given any thought to continuing with his rugby when he left school. However, this innocence was soon dispelled when he became an apprentice at Lockheed and fell among thieves - aka Lol Smith and yours truly. He was soon persuaded to search the house for his discarded boots and in 1954 he joined the club where he quickly became established in the 1st XV, initially in the back row, but very soon he was propping with Plum Richardson. He became a fixture there for several years and was vice-captain of the club under Ianto Moody in 1957-58 and then under John Shurvinton. A 100% player, he turned out for Warwickshire 2nds, South Warwickshire, and Leamington & District on many occasions. He had the deceptive appearance of always smiling, especially when he was landing a blow, and was a most convivial member once back in the clubhouse. He retired from the 1st XV in 1961 and in 1966 he and his first wife bought a hotel near Haverfordwest in Pembroke. It was perhaps not the wisest of moves as the following year the club were descending on West Wales for their tour, and some bright spark – probably Norman David – thought it would be a good place for their headquarters!! The innocence of youth!!! By this time David was working in the brewery business and based in Swansea, where he met his second wife, Cynthia. Despite being in the Principality he did not get involved in the national sport, but instead started to play with a much smaller ball and sticks, which became his passion. He continued to play until a few days before his death, although he admitted that latterly 18 holes seemed a bit far and he was happy to settle for a few less, which kept him nearer the 19th. He was a great pal for over 70 years and I shall hugely miss our regular telephone conversations, which illustrate the wonderful friendship that is generated through rugby.
Dick Ashley

Club Dinner and VP Lunch Finally, a reminder of the Annual Club Dinner will be held at the club on Friday 29 April. The guest speaker is Phil Davies, former Welsh international and now Director of Rugby for World Rugby. Get in touch with Phil McGaffin if you want to go. Also, we have the final VP lunch of the season coming up on Saturday 2 April prior to the Kidderminster game at 12.30 (for 1.00). Please let Jim Mills know asap whether you want to come along. His email is jim.mills@leaas.co.uk

Johnlizlyons@btopenworld.com

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